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Earlier this year I had the privilege to co-lead a series of college readiness workshops at Miami Dade College as part of the Say Yes to the Prom initiative of Discovery Communications. It was wonderful to meet outstanding young women from several high schools in Miami and discuss important topics such as the importance of role models, goal-setting and self-esteem. Below is a video summary of this special day, produced by MDC TV.

I received the following message from an extraordinary student whom I've had the honor to mentor all the way from Havana to Harvard. These are the kinds of words that motivate me to continue working to enable all students, no matter their background, to attain an excellent education and achieve their full potential.

Working and learning alongside such an inspiring, warm and demanding (in the good sense) person like you has made me grow and strive not just as an applicant on a piece of paper, but as a human being. You have inspired me and opened my eyes to all the possibilities that lie secret or seem virtually impossible for many students. That spark, the spark of possibility, that you have ignited in me is one that I have passed on to many. You ignited that and my future education in college, in graduate school, will all somehow be related to that dinner when we first met. For all this I will never be able to repay your time and effort.